Broadband ISP Wessex Internet has boosted their existing rollout of a new gigabit-capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network in South England by securing a new contract to connect 35 public sites (schools, libraries etc.) under the ‘Gigahub Connectivity in Rural Dorset Project‘, which is supported by £900k from Dorset Council.
Among the 35 sites included in this project are 22 primary and secondary schools – from the Purbecks in the south to Gillingham in the north. Durlston Country Park is also set to be connected, and the funding will also help two libraries, a care home and a children’s centre.
The first sites are due to be connected to the new full fibre network in June 2022 and all sites will then be completed by September 2023.
Cllr Jill Haynes said:
“This is fantastic news for many areas of Dorset that would otherwise have been left behind as we all start to move to gigabit-capable broadband speeds.
It will bring immediate benefit to the sites included in the plans and it will also make it easier for residents and businesses in those areas to look to upgrade their broadband one day.
Our reliance on very good broadband speeds is only going to become more important as technology evolves and investment like this will provide certainty for these communities’ futures.”
Hector Gibson Fleming, CEO of Wessex Internet, said:
“We’re delighted to have been awarded this contract by Dorset Council to provide a full fibre connection to important community sites across the county. Not only will 35 schools and other community facilities benefit from ultrafast and reliable connectivity, surrounding homes and businesses will also be able to get connected.”
The funding itself appears to have been released as part of the UK Government’s £5bn Project Gigabit programme.
Horrah for Dorest fibre.